Pressed metal automobile body



Nov; 3, 1931. J. LEDWINKA PBESSED METAL AUTOMOBILE BODY Filed Jan. 9. 1926 6 $h eetsSheet l INVENTOR. JOSEPH LEPWINKH Nov. 3, 1931. J. LEDWINKA 1,829,751

. I PRESSED METAL AUTOMOBILE BODY Filed Jan. 9, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ JOSEPH LEDWINKA A TTORNEY.

Nov. 3, 1931. J. LEDWINKA 1,829,751

PRESSED METAL AUTOMOBILE BODY Filed Jan. 9; 1926 Shets-Sheet s IINVENTOR. JOSEPH LEDWINKA A TTORNE Y.

Nov. 3, 1931- J LEDWINKA 1,829,751

PRESSED METAL AUTOMOBILE BODY 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 9, 1926 INVENTOR. JOSEPH LEDWINKA Nov. 3, 1931. J. LEDWINKA PRESSED METAL AUTOMOBILE BODY Filed Jan. 9, 192a JOSEPH LEDWINKA Nov. 3, 1931. EDwmKA 1,829,751

PRESSED METAL AUTOMOBILE BGDY Filed Jan. 9,1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. JOSEPH LEDWINKA A TTORNE Y.

I Patented Nov. 3, I931 rs!) s'rA'rss v PATENT orFI-ca .rosnrn; LEDWINKA, or PHHJADELI'HILJPENNBYLVAKIA, ASSIGNOR 'ro EDWARD o. IBUDD MANUFACTURING co, or PHILADELPHIA, rmmsYLvAmA, A conromrrox or PENNSYLVANIA Pamela) METAL Auromommi BODY Application filed January 9, 1926. Serial m. 80,166.

This invention relates to automobile bodies of closed design, -known as the sedan type,

and relates particularly to structures of this t e which are built up" of sheet steel stamped or otherwise formed into the. desired form or contour and rigidly secured together.

"The object of the invention is to provide a; closed automobile body which is' atonce simple, strong and rugged and which can be m easily and economically manufactured.

A further object of the invention is to provide' a closed automobile body construction in which the component stampings used in the completed body are joined together to formsevera'l majorunits, which units, as such, arecombined and assembled to form the completed body, whereby the cost of manufacturing is reduced and the speed of production increased.

A still further object of the invention is-to provide an improved construction in the cowl unit assembly wit especial regard to the toe board support an the front door post reinforcements A still further object is the provision ofa *side header of such cross section as permits the application of the roof unit with greater ease and facility than has heretofore been possible.

A still further object is the provision of means adapted to join the sides of the bottom rail of the cowl unit with the bodies of the 1 front door 'osts in a manner which issimple as. it effects Ea neat and secure joint at the junc- Qtu-re of the upper portions of the cowl and the doo posts.

' A still further object is to provide abody construction wherein the same. may be conveniently and economically shipped from the 4 The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, locationfand relative arrangement of parts all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth as shown in the place of manufacture to that of final assemaccompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings-- Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of the cowl unit. 3 Fig. 2i a section'through the central por tion of thebody showin the sill and header connected by the B and b post and the mannerof securing the front seat in position.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the tonneau unit.

Figs. 4to' 8 inclusive are sections taken on corresponding lines of Fig. l'showing the structure. of the elements appearing therein.

FFig. 9 is a view taken on the lines 9-9 of 1 ig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the front door post and the bottom windshieldrail joined thereto.

- Fig. of Fig.

Figs. .12 and,13 are sections taken on the corresponding lines of Fig. 1.

Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive are sections taken on the corresponding lines of Fig. 2.

Figs. 19 to 9/5 inclusive are sections on the corresponding lines of Fig. 3.

Fig. 26 is an enlarged view showin in detail the construction in the vicinity o -the D lgis a. section taken on the linell-ll 1 taken bracket.

Fig. 27 is a detail lon 'tudinal sectional viewthrough the upper e ge of the rear window opening. i

The same part isLdesignated' by the same reference numeral wherever it ocurs throughout'the several views.

In the manufacture of automobile bodies it is desirable to secure stren h and ii 'dity in the completed structure, simplicity-m the parts composing the structure and speed in the assembling and joining of the parts together in order to secure economy. In attaining this result it is equally desirable to secure rug edness in the com leted structure and t e production of a ciently withstand the shocks and v brations 1 m use. j

In the accomplishment of theseob'ects and pur oses I propose to construct wantomo ile body outof sheet 'steel stamping:

which are pressed or stamped into the detions in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and posts, how sired shape or contour and are assembled ever, are uniform throughout their length in and secured together to produce a single inthat they are of inwardly presenting channel tegral homogeneous structure.

Referring to the drawings and more paras is clearly shown in Fig. 4), is of channel ticularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be seen ormation the'inner wall of which is prothat the body is comprised essentially of sevvided with a rehrwardly extending flange era-l ,major units, namely, the cowl unit,- a. 20 forming a shoulder to accommodate the pair of side units to which is adapted to be hinge rail of the front door. Attached to independently assembled a front seat unit, the interior of the rear wall of the upper and a tonneau unit. These major .nnits section of the door post by means of a hinge are each separately and independentl fabribracket 21 is the upper hinge element 22.

cated to form complete units whic units The .portion of the A post below the windare in turn combined and joined together inshield opening or bottom rail of the cowl; unit tegrally to form the completed automobile is also of substantially inwardly presenting body. In order that this method of buildchannel formation having front andrear ing a body by the use of independently aswalls 23 -24. Secured to the rear wall 24 sembled units may best be effected recourse by means of ahinge bracket 25 is the lower is had to various joints between the several hinge element 26. This hinge bracket 25 units these joints being designated for the ,difi'ers somewhat from the upper hinge purpose of this specification unit construcbracket in that it is provided with a fortion joints. These unit construction joints wardly extending ortion 27 to which is seare located approximately in the vicinity of cured, preferably y welding, the rear end the bases and tops of the front door or A of a reinforcing brace 28, the forward end. posts and at the bases and tops of the rear of which is integrally joined to the shroud door 1) po t pan 12. Interconnecting the body portion The cowl unit assembly or structure com- 'of this brace28 and the A post 19 is an addiprises in the main thecowl panel 10 which tional upwardly and rearwardly extending may be formed in one section as shown or reinforcingbrace 29. It will thus be seen inseveral sections. This panel is formed to that there is effected a very secure and rigid slope downwardly to meet the motor hood of inter-bracing between the post, shroud pan the chassis (not shown) at its forward edge. and cowl panel by. means of the intercon- Its forward edge is flanged as shown at 11 necting reinforcing braces 28 and 29.

and within the-flanged portion and connect- Secured to the lower forward portions of ed with the cowl by weldin to the flange is the cowl side panel 10 is a triangularly reinforcement and cross E preferably in the form of a shroud pan 12. 30, best shown in Fig. 13. This reinforcing This shroud pan 12 is rovided at its upper plate is provided with an inturned lower edge with a rearwar ly turned flange 13 flange 31 having a portion thereof upwardly which forms together with a downwardly offset as at 32. The plate is rearwardly exand rearwardly'turned portion 14 a channel tended and provides an upwardly presenting adding .greatly to the stiffness and rigidity channel formation in its rearward extension,

' aflorded the forward edge of the cowl panel see Fig. 12, through which it is secured to wardly extending flanges 18 (see Fig. 12).

with inwar ly extending flanges 17 (see Fi by the shroud pan 12. Immediately to the the forward. end of the main side sill in the rear of the forward edge of the cowl panel manner hereinafter described. Along its .is provided a transversely extending bead 15 upper inclined edge the plate 30 is provided while in the central top portion of the panel with an inwardly extending flange 33 to I a ventilating opening 16 is rovi'ded. which is secured the toe board support 34 The cowl anel is provide at its rear edges having the inwardly extending flange 35 upon which the toe board is adapted to rest. As clearly appears in Figs. 1' and 13 the central portion of the reinforcing'plate $11.3

6 and 8) and at its bottom edges'with 1n- Embraced by the sides and inwardly exbe cutout for the sake of lightness.

- tending flanges. 17 of the cowl panel 10 are bottom flange 32 extends rearwardly into the front door or A posts 19.] These posts abutting relationship with the forward side are secured throu h-the medium of unit conof the A post. The lower end of the toe 'struction joints, directly to the forward portions of the body side sills as will be described more fully hereinafter, andextend from the sillsupwardly for joinder with the longitudinally extending side top rails, at the tops of which the upper forward unit are effected. These construction 7 joints posts are of varying section throughout their ength as is evident from comparing the sec- -larly shaped gusset member 37 provided with flanges 38 and 39 secured respectively to the forward wall of the A post 19 and to the top of the body side sill 52. The flange 39 extends forwardly into "abutting relationship stantially the same horizontal -to form a neat appearing an rear top portion of the cowl panel and the stamping 42 bein provided with a forwardly extending an e 44 by which is sup-' ported an instrument oard v45. A bracket 46 having an u wardly extending portion 47 seatin in the o'dy of the A post serves to secure y and rigidly interconnect the sides of thebottom rail and the A posts. However, in order to efiect an even stronger union I at these points provision is made'of solid cast members 48 substantially of angle form as is more particularly shown in Fig. 11. Thesernembers 48 are each provided with tabs 49; extending behind and secured to the bottom rail stamping while the rearwardly extend ing arm of the casting embraces the base of the channeled door post and. is secured thereo whereby a veryneat corner joint is effected.

The free upper ends of the A post 19 are interconnected by the transversely extending header member or peak panel 50 of substantia'lly upwardly presenting channel formation, the rear wall of the channel bein of somewhat greater depth than the front wall and the base of'the channel being in clined rearwardly and upwardly to more properly accommodate a windshield. Spacmg elements or struts 51 are secured in the channel at intervals whereby in effect a box girderformation is obtained. The specific manner: of inter-bracing the A posts and the peak panel by means of specially de'si 'ned bracket members will be described more fully hereinafter in connectionwith the side top rails and their joinder to the front door osts.

In Fig." 2 is shown one sided the ody including a bottom side sill, aside top rail and a B and C 'post'which latter is that post against which-both the front and rear doors outer Z of this section is composed-ofa bod inwardly and downwar close. In Fig. 18 the double or compound.

Z sectionof the sill 52 is clearly shown. The

web 53and outer and inner arms 54 and-55,

respectively. The outer arm 54 p0i1 1tS d0W11-.

w'ardly and inwardly whilethe inner arm extends upwardly and forms with .the'web53 of the Z an angle section presenting outwardly and upwardly of the body. The inner Zfof. the section is composed of the -'.web 56 and. upper arm 57 and lower arm 58. The up 1'.

arm 57 joins the arm'-55 of the Outer =Zlsect1'on and with it forms an-anglle seictionbpasentli llllg upper arm 55 of the outer 2 section and 11 per arm 57 of the inner 2 section and the ody web of the inner Z section together constitute a transverse section of inverted channel shape. The web 56 of the inner Z is of less height than the arm 556i the outer Z ivin the channel 5657-55 channel wa ls o diflerentheight. The inner arm of the inner 2 extends laterally and interiorly of the body and is in the form of a lateral flange on the inner channel wall 56. The web 53 of the outer 2 may be regarded as a laterally and outwardly extending flange on the outer channel wall..

This side sill is of considerable length. The forward end of the sill extends into the cowl unit forwardly of the base of the A door post until its forward edge rests directly beneath the rearwardly extending portion 36 of the toe board support 34. This portion 36 then restsand is directly connected to the top of the base 57 of the inverted channel sill. The flange 39 of the bracket member 37 is also secured to the base 57 of the sill. The rear wall 24 of the door post 19 has its bottom. lip-turned to form a rearwardly extending lip flange or tab.59 which rests upon-and .is integrally cured, as by welding, to the web 53 of the ody sill. Erected in the angle formed by the portions 55 and 53 of the body sill is the B and C post member 60. Thispost, likethe' A post, is of channel section extending inwardly. The side walls 61 are provided with lateral flanges 62. These g flanges 62 are in turn provided with inwardly v extending flanges 63, throughout the lower extent of the post, these latter flanges extending with the bottom wall 64 of, the B and G post downwardly to the body side sill where the flanges 63 are spread apart to permit their securement to the portion 53 of the body sill. The base wall .64 of the B and C ost'continues downwardly and is secured y welding to the outer face of the downwardly extending portion 54 of the sill asis clearly shown in Fig. 17. The B and C door post is provided wlth spaced upholstery securing 65 of channel shape having opposite 011 s walls secured as by spot welding, to the walls of the-door post. To 've additional strength to the lowerone of ese upholstery fastenmg members a member 66 is employed, both the. members 65 and.-66 being provided, with y inwardly extending flanges overlying the portion 57 of the body sill whereby a secure connection between the bottom of the B and C'piost and the body sill is obtained. ounted upon. andsecured to the top of the B and 0 post so is a top rail 67. This toprail 67 WhlOh extends from the front. 0st

to the rear post of the body,

namely, rom the A post to the E post, is of simple Z secwardly. of t 'tion throu hout that portion extending for- I e-D {To'st'jand of double angle cross section throughout'that' portion which exprovided with a horizontally disposed web portion 68 having upwardly and downwardly projecting arms 69 and 70. It is at the top of the E posts that the upper rear unit construction joints are effected with the rear ends of the top rails 67.

In Fig. 14 is shown the method of securing the top of the B and 0 post to the top rail 67. It will be seen that the bottom wall 64 of the channelled door post is provided with an extension 71 lying flush against the wall 69 of the top rail while the laterally extending flanges 62 of the door post abut the web 68 of the top rail and lie flush against the depending flange 70 thereof. This top rail 67 is supported primarily at the top of the B and C post as has just been stated but connection is also made with the A post andD post through butt joints with the tops thereof, gas welded in the meeting corners and along the meeting lilies. Suitable reinforcements are provided in each case. In the case of the B and 'C post a U-shaped clip 72 is socketed and welded and riveted between the web 68 of the top rail and the side walls of the door post channel as indicated most clearly in Figs. 2 and 14. By welding and riveting thesQelements together a Very secure joint between the top of the door post and the top rail is obtained.

the A post 19 and the reinforcement of the -]0llit is by means of an angle 7 3' which angle also constitutes in its downwardly extending branch an anchor for the upper hinge 74 of the front door, this being most clearly shown in Fig. 9. This reinforcing angle 73 is supplemented by an additional bracket 75 of such formthat it securely interconnects and lnterbraces the forwardv portion of the top rail with the top ofthe A post and the side of the peak panel. In order to accomplish this triple joinder the bracket 75 is provided with a rearwardly extending branch 76, a

downwardly extending branch 77 and a laterally extending branch 78. The rearwardly extending branch 76 rests upon and is'secured to the rear'wardly extending portion .of the bracket 73 which is in turn securedto the top rail 67. .The depending portion 77 of this three-way bracket lies flush against the forward wall of the A post for welding thereto while the lateral extension 78 of the bracket, which is somewhat offset from the. portion 77 thereof, lies flush against the inside face of the forward wallof the channel member 50. A still further reinforcementis obtained by the rovision of an upwardly extending fiange gformed along the outer edge of the portion 76 ofthe three-way bracket and adapted to lie flush .against the upwardly extending arm 69 of the top rail .is clearly shown in Figs. 24 and 25,

for welding thereto. This is most clearly shownin Figs. 5 and 9.

The tonneau'unit which is shown as a whole in Fig. 3 is comprised of the tonneau side and rear paneling integrally joined together to constitute in effect a single tonneau panel. Sills 80 of angle formation and a rear sill 81' of channel formation joined together by suitable reinforcements form thedower supporting structure for the tonneau unit. This lower supporting framework of the tonneau unit is supplemented by the posts D and E indicated in the drawings by 82 and 83. (See Figs. 20 and 21). As is the case of the B and C post the structure of the D post is also of This D post, instead of being erected and welded directly upon the side sill, is erected upon the post D bracket 86. The tonneau s de sill 80 which is connected to the body side sill (by the post Djbracket 86) is of angle crosssection' appears clearly in Fi 23'a11d presents inwardly, the lower branch e ng an inturnedflange. The connection OftlllS tonneau sill with the body side sill 86 is fully set The top rail 67 abuts the rear-side wall of forth in the copending application, Serial No. 740,425, filed September29, 1924 and entitled body side sill construction. This constructioii need not be describedjain detail here except so far as it enters into the combina- 'tions comprehended by the invention dis tonneau unit, is also of channel formation but has .its opening presenting rearwardly.

, This post extends substantially from the top Y line of the, window opening downwardly to a point just above the rear sill 8l. Instead of connecting the lower end of this E post to the wheel housing, as is usually done, in this case an inter. onneoting bracket-member 87 of substantially simple 2 cross sectionthroughout its major portion is fitted within the channel of the E post and welded theret' tends downwardly and laterally to overlie the top of the rear sill 81 to which it is rigidlv secured as bv welding or riveting. This g H such manner that 'the We-b of this bracket87 exturned flanges welded directly to the bottoms of these sills. The forward vertical edges of the'tonneau panel are provided with inturned flanges 88 which embrace the forward walls .of the D post as clearly appears in Figs. 19 and 20. Between the D and E posts the paneling of the tonneau side see- I tion-immediately adjacent its upper side edge 89 which is formed as part of the tonneau side panel stamping'is cut away to form a window opening 90. Its walls are flanged inwardly over that part of the window framing constituted by the D and E posts and to form the transverse outer window sill rail 91 ,shown in Fig. 23. Those portions which are flanged inwardly over the D and E posts are rabbetted as at 92 and 93 to accommodate the window guide channels. The framing at the top of the window opening is formed principally b that portion of the top rail 67 which exten rearwardly of the D post. This rear extension of the top rail 67 is in addition provided with an inwardly extending flange 94 the tonneau paneling 89 being beaded an flanged over the top rail as is clearly shown in Fig. 22 to form the upper channel 95 for accommodation of the ripper edge of the Window pane.

" tends upwardly and forwardly to a point 11 Theback wall of the tonneau paneling exjust beyond the rear vertical line of the side windows, the forward edge thereof being pro- I vided with a transversely extending Mb bet for supporting the roof unit. A rear windowopeiiing 96 is provlded 1n the back of the tonneau panel in the usual man-.

'ner. Extending from post D on one side of the body to post D on the other and constituting the reinforcing member for the lower flange of the rear. window 96 is a reinforcing angle 97; Throughout the major portion of its length this angle member 97 ls spaced from the body of'thecar thus serving not onl as a brace for tyin together the side an rear of the tonneauut also as a means for attaching upholstery in place; Disposed-ecu; trally of the back panel of the tonneau 1s a vertically extendirlg spare tire carrier 98 having its upper end secured to the angle member 97 preferably by welding and its lower 1 end secured to the bottom of the rear-sill 81.

The tonneauunit is completed by the addition of a windowregulator panel 99 extending between and secured to posts D and E. Immediately below the window opening for purposes of attaching this window regu-, latorpanel 99 0st 1) is provided with a rearwardly' extending flange 100 shown more brackets top rails. The bottoms of the A posts are provided with the lip flanges or tabs 59 for I welding orriveting to the sills. The lower Extending between the opposite B and posts is a front seat structure indicated gen- 7 erally by 101. The form'of this structure as particularly shown in Fig. 2 comprises a one piece front heel board 102, bottom pan.

provided with a forwardly extending ange' 109. This structure is raised upon and secured to the cross members and 111 which extend from side to side of the body underframewith its side inturned flanges 108 rest- "ing upon the flanges '58 of the-sills 52. The sides of the seat back'panel are secured to the B and C'posts as indicated at points 112. The side sills 52 are further interbraced at the bottoms of the B-0 posts by an upwardly facing channel cross brace 117 which has its outer ends 117 offset upwardly as shown in Figure 17 to seat within the channels'of the side sillsand be securedithereto as by riveting;

The rear seat structure is also founded branch of the angle ,ofthetonneau side sills 80. A bottom seat pan 114 having'forward- .ly and rearwardly extending flanges 115 and 116 respectively is, a so rested upon the inwardly extending fiang es of the angle side Having thus far described the various structural elements and combinations thereof which constitute the major units of the body,

manner of assembling the several units to form the completed body which is throughout extremely simple and strong and yet which permits that flexible adaptation to contour lines imposed by the demands of the customer; 1

-The cowl unit which comprises the panel 10, the A posts 19, the bottom rail 40 of the wind shield opening, the peak panel 50, the

et 30 therefor and the instrument board sup- .port 45 constitute the front unit. This-unit includes no part of the side sills 52 nor of hinge support and joint reinforcing angle 5 in position for securement to the edges of the cowl are provided with the inturned flanges 18 'for securement to themder side of the sills 52 and the toe board support reinforcingbracket 30.

The next umt rearwardl of the cowl is the side unit, there being, 0 course, two such there still remains to describe the particular 5 I toe board supports 34 and reinforcing brack- 5- units one right hand and one left hand.

These side units-each comprise a side sill 52 and that of the top rail between the posts A and E are included in this unit. The frontend of the top rail 67 is jolned through the medium of a buttjoint with the upper end of acorresponding A post of they cowl unit. The rearwardly projecting portion 76 of the bracket 75 and the similar portion of the hinge member 73 serve to reinforce and strengthen this butt joint? The front end of the sill 52 lacks the downwardly extending arm 54, compare Figs. 12 and 16, and is telescoped into the cowl unit directly beneath the bottom of the A post so that the latter in fact rests directly upon the sill. By the use of simple spot welding the tab 59 is welded to the web 53 ofthe sill, the flange 39 of the bracket is welded to the top 57 of the sill, therearward extension 36 of the toe board support 34 is welded to the top .ofthe side sill, the upwardly offset portion 32 of the reinforcing bracket is weldedto the inner arm 58 of the sill 52. and the flange 53 of the sill is welded to the bottom wall 18 of the channel formation at the rear end of the toe board ,bracket.30. The rear end ofthe sill is adapted to be secured directly to the inner side of the post D bracket 86 which latter forms part of the rear or ton- .neau unit as is best shown in- Fig. 26. A

portion 57 of the sill which extends rearwardly beneath'the post D bracket is bent upwardly into substantially the plane of the portion 56 of the sill wherebyto permit a ready securement of the rear portio of the sill to the post D bracket as by welding. It is understood, of course, that the usual cross connecting members between the side sills such as the members 110 and 111 are present in this construction. These members, however, are not applied until after the assembly of the cow side and tonneau units.

The last amed unit is the rear or tonneau unit shown in Fig. 3. It comprises side sills 80, the rear sill 81, the D post 82 and the D post brackets 86 all of which constitute the frame for the tonneau paneling. Further this-unit includes the E post at the rear of the side windows between the top of which and the D post extends, the section 89 of the tonneau paneling. The tonneau panel is in this case made up of three sections integral-'- ly joined together to constitute in effect a single unitary panel extending from rear door post on one sideto the rear door post on the other side of the body.

The extreme forward edge of the post D bracket is provided with a forwardly project ing tongue-or tab 117 which is adapted to seat upon and be welded to the portion 53 of the sill 52, thus affording an additionally neat provided no obstruction at the inner edge of the top rail along its entire length so that a roof unit of somewhat varying width can be readily accommodated between the upstanding arms or flanges 69of the top rail without the necessity for that very accurate fitting which was heretofore always found necessary.

The units which next are placed in position are the fro t and rear seat structures respectively, the front seat structure being that shown in Fig. 2 and the rear seat structure being that, partly shown in Fig. 3. The join- 4 ing faces of these structures are so simple that when positioned within the body they (ind'their own place and fit snugly therein whereupon they are rigidly secured in place by welding.

Many variations in the design of the body constructed in accordance with the invention herein disclosed may be conceived and carried out. However, inasmuch as they would -all be specific adaptations of. the generic idea,-

it is desired to include any and all of these variations by'broadly defining them in the accompanying claim's.

What I claim as new and useful is:

1. In a pressed metal body construction a cowl assembly including a cowl panel having rear vertical edges on opposite sides thereof and provided at its rear transverse edge with a dependingflange, a pair of door posts secured to the rear vertical edges of said cowl panel and a pair of stampings extending transversely between said doorposts, said stampings being nested through angular formations along their upper portions and provlded with free flanges along their lower.

portions, one of said flanges being secured to said depending flange and the other of said flanges constituting a support for an instrument board support. I

2. In a pressedmetal bodyconstruction a cowl unit assembly including a cowl panel, and a door post secured to the rear vertical edge thereof, said door post beingof substantially channel formation presenting inwardly of the body,the rear wall of said channel at the bottom thereof being bent laterally of the post and rearwardly of the body to form a securing tab'spaced above the bottom line of the cowl unit for securing it to an adjacent unit.

I 3. In a pressed metal body cowl unit assembly including a cowlpanel,

construction a I and a door post secured to the rear vertical edge thereof, said door post being of substantially channel formation presenting inwardly of the body, the rear wall of said channel formation door post at the bottom being bent laterally of the post and rearwardly of the body to form a securing tab spaced above the bottom line of the cowl unit and a bracket member secured to the forward wall of said channel door post at the bottom thereof, said bracket being rovided with an inturned flange spaced a ove the bottom line of said cowl u-nit.

4. In a pressed metal automobile body construction, a cowl panel and door posts secured to the rear vertical edges of said cowl panel, a bottom rail extending between said door posts and secured to the rear transversely extending edge of the cowl panel and angle members aflording exteriorly disposed connecting mediums between said bottom rail and said door posts.

5, In a pressed metal automobile body construction, a door post of channel cross section presenting inwardly and an angle member having its arms respectively secured to the base and forward wall of said door post, the arm which is secured to said forward .wall

being spaced therefrom to accommodate a portion of a cowlpanel therebetween.

6. In a pressed metal automobile body construction, a door post of channel formation rearwardly extending portion of upwardly presenting channel formation, and a body member of substantially triangular shape mounted upon said inturned flanges, said bracket member being provided with a rearwardly extending channel shaped portion constituting the forward extension of the body side sill.

In testimony whereof he hereunto affixes his signature.

JOSEPH LEDWINKA.

presenting inwardly of the body, a member secured to the exterior face of the forward wall of said channel door post, said member being provided at its inner edge with a shoulder, and a bottom rail panel extending transversely of the body and having its side edge seating flush in said'shoulder; 7. In a pressed metal automobile body construction a door post of substantially channel formation presenting inwardlv of the body, said door post being ofi'set intermediate the ends thereof both in thebottom wall and forward side wall of the channel, and an angle member embracing said door post in the vicinity of said offset'portion, the exterior surface of said post and member lying sub stantially in the same vertical planes.

8. In a pressed metal automobile body construction, a cowl panel having a bracket member mounted upon and secured thereto, said bracket member having a portion of upward- 1y presenting channel formation. one wall of r v said channel being provided with a laterally extending flange, a body side sill of substantially inverted channel formation nested within said upwardly presenting channel and being provided with a flange overlying said laterally extending flange .for rigid securement thereto. I

9. In a pressed metal automobile body construction, a cowl assembly including at its lower forward corners a toe-board supporting member, said member being provided with a 

